Thinking of doing your PhD in the Life Sciences? The International PhD Programme (IPP) Mainz is offering
talented, young scientists the chance to work on
cutting edge research projects within the open call on “Molecular Mechanisms in Genome Stability & Gene Regulation”. As an IPP PhD student, you will join a
community of exceptional scientists working on diverse topics ranging from how organisms age or how our DNA is repaired, to how epigenetics regulates cellular identity or neural memory.
PhD Position: Secretory proteins in genome stability (m/f/d)
Activities and responsibilities
The research group of Sven Danckwardt offers the following PhD project:
Proteins are macromolecules that carry out a wide range of functions, with most being specialized for a single role. However, an increasing number of proteins are being recognized as multifunctional. In addition, secretory proteins can display entirely distinct functional characteristics depending on their spatial and temporal context (Furukawa, et al. Nature 1992, Radisky et al. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2009). Notable examples include enzymes that, beyond their catalytic roles, are also involved in entirely different processes such as autophagy, protein transport, or DNA maintenance (Mani et al. Nucleic Acids Res 2015).
PhD Project: Moonlighting functions of secretory proteins in genome stability
We recently obtained evidence that some secretory proteins govern genome integrity in a cell-autonomous manner by hitherto poorly defined mechanism(s). In this project we want to dissect the moonlighting function of select secretory proteins in genome integrity. Through the use of innovative genetic models that allow to study the tempospatial dynamics of secretory proteins systems-wide real-time combined with functional genetic tools and omics technologies, we will elucidate the functional mechanism(s) through which our target proteins regulate genome stability. Furthermore, we will explore whether this distinct moonlighting function can be leveraged to develop novel therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat devastating disorders such as cancer.
If you are interested in this project, please select Danckwardt (SP) as your group preference in the IPP application platform.
Qualification profile
Are you an ambitious, young scientist looking to push the boundaries of research while interacting with colleagues from multiple disciplines and cultures? Then joining the IPP is your opportunity to give your scientific career a flying start!
All you need is:
- Master or equivalent
- Interactive personality & good command of English
- 2 letters of reference
We offer
- Exciting, interdisciplinary projects in a lively international environment, with English as our working language
-
Advanced training in scientific techniques and professional skills
- Access to our state-of-the-art Core Facilities and their technical expertise
-
Fully funded positions with financing until the completion of your thesis
- A lively community of more than 200 PhD students from 44 different countries
The deadline for applications is 24 October 2024. Interviews will take place at IMB in Mainz on 20-22 January 2025.
Starting date: 1 March 2025 - 1 July 2025